The AL Retires

Well, boys and girls, I think it’s about time I gave up the AL. It’s been a fun ride, but even fun rides have to end. This wasn’t even a very long ride, since I’ve been blogging for only four years.

There are a lot of reasons to keep going, of course. When it comes to readership, this blog is more popular than ever, and before moving to LJ it was already the best and most popular blog in bibliotek blogland, though given the quality of most library blogs that isn’t saying much.

There’s the money as well, but thanks to LJ I’ve finally managed to buy that villa in France I always wanted. I could work another year to furnish it in style, but it already has a well stocked library and a suite for the cats. What more does a gal need? It’ll be the perfect place to live out my retirement.

I’ll miss Chip, naturally, since he comes with the job, but maybe LJ will find a new AL and Chip can give her foot massages and back rubs while she works. I’d hate to see those talented hands go to waste. The other pity is I’ve taught him to make the perfect martini, and I’ll have to start over when I train my next majordomo. The French do many things well, but making martinis isn’t one of them.

I’ll miss my readers, too. Not all of them, of course, since a handful of them are sad, envious creatures who seem to think writing stupid comments requires as much talent as writing a great blog. It’s amazing how many librarians there are who have nothing better to do than read a blog they absolutely hate and then monitor the comments for hours. Now they’ll have to watch more reality TV to fill the void in their sad lives.

I’ll also miss goading all those self-important AL-hating librarians until they hyperventilate. I’ll miss their attempts to blather on about how my "anonymity" bothers them, when it’s obvious what really bothers them is having someone show how ridiculous they are. Ridiculing the ridiculous is one of my favorite pastimes, and so many librarians are both self-important and ridiculous, which is irresistible.

But there all the fun readers and commenters and fellow annoyed librarians over the years who have made the blog more enjoyable to write. My fellow annoyed librarians, to whom this blog has always been dedicated, to all of you I bid adieu.

I want to officially stake my claim to continuing Annoyed Librarian. I feel as though I am entitled. I have browsed a couple of her blogs and I am annoyed with many things. Plus, I can solve a Rubix Cube in under 90 seconds….all that spare time I had sitting at the Reference desk really paid off…

Hey, I didn’t see this post last year so the joke is still fresh for some of us!
Good work AL —
Since I am on spring break can reading AL be considered wasting time? Oh yeah, I should be on vacation somewhere instead of at home reading AL. Whatever!

Retire, don’t retire – it doesn’t matter one way or the other. I came here today to say I will no longer be reading the blog; perhaps I’m foolish enough to believe anybody cares. I have nothing against the AL, I don’t have any arguments with the stands ‘she’ makes or with ‘her’ arguments. I’m sure it’s a challenge to find topics, and it’s difficult to have an opinion on everything. The AL has done a good job.

However, the comments from ‘trolls’ and others has gotten to be too much. Vulgar and foul language has crept into the comments. As I’ve said in the past I don’t put my self-worth as a librarian and as a man by what others think – I’m not going to be insulted by what anybody says about my chosen profession or about me. But, it is disheartening when people try to get under mine and other’s skin. It’s the attempt that makes me – well, it makes me sad. It’s a poor reflection on society.

“Wow Library Guy…”a poor reflection on society”…you really want a poor reflection read the rants and raves on Craigslist and see what people really have to say especially in regards to racial matters.”